Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde Celebrates a Joyous Diwali with Persons with Disabilities
Mumbai, November 2026: "True Diwali is about dispelling the darkness from the lives of people around us and lighting a lamp of hope, confidence and faith," Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said on Sunday.
A special Diwali gathering for persons with disabilities was organised at the Deputy Chief Minister's official residence, Nandanvan, in Mumbai. The event was jointly organised by the Shiv Sena Medical Assistance Cell, Dr Shrikant Shinde Foundation, Ratnanidhi Charitable Trust and Arogyadoot Foundation.
The celebrations transformed Nandanvan from a government residence into a place of happiness and warmth for persons with disabilities, with several participants describing it as a true 'Anandvan' (garden of joy).
Deputy Chief Minister Shinde said that Nandanvan was a place where ordinary citizens, needy people and persons with disabilities could feel welcome and find support.
He praised the determination, courage and perseverance of persons with disabilities and said that standing by them was a responsibility.
"Today's programme has truly made my Diwali special," he said.
Highlighting various initiatives undertaken for the welfare of persons with disabilities, Shinde said the state government had established a separate Department of Disability Welfare to ensure that they received their rightful entitlements and justice.
The initiative had helped several persons with disabilities secure employment and become financially independent, he said.
He also announced that the government had decided to allocate one per cent of the total funds available with District Planning Committees directly towards welfare schemes for persons with disabilities.
Referring to initiatives undertaken at Anand Ashram in Tembhi Naka, Thane, the Deputy Chief Minister said that more than 1,500 persons with disabilities had so far received artificial limbs, including Jaipur Foot prostheses, walkers, hearing aids and other essential assistive devices.
These initiatives had helped beneficiaries regain confidence and improve their quality of life.
He assured that the programme would not remain limited to a single city but would be extended to all other districts across Maharashtra.
Shinde also recalled recently celebrating Diwali with families of children suffering from congenital heart diseases who had undergone expensive surgeries, as well as children who had regained their ability to hear and speak following cochlear implant procedures.
He said the happiness visible on the faces of these children and their parents had brought him immense personal satisfaction.
Addressing the challenges faced by farmers due to the prevailing drought, Shinde announced that he would visit agricultural fields in Jalna the following day to celebrate Diwali with farmers.
He appealed to farmers not to lose hope or take any extreme steps, assuring them that the government stood firmly behind them.
He also urged people from all sections of society to extend a helping hand to distressed farming families.
"This is not a time for politics, but an opportunity for humanity to stand together in support of those facing difficult circumstances," he said in an emotional appeal.
During the Diwali gathering, the Deputy Chief Minister shared traditional festive snacks with persons with disabilities, presented them with gifts and extended his warm wishes for the festival.
